A Development Story.

Enabling more disadvantaged bursary students to succeed.

Client

Problem

Just 25{be38fd1e2c946a347db4d7316b241dce4b842100e7b38236661610f0dce6def9} of disadvantaged African black bursary students were passing the national accounting exam.

Situation

With workplace equality playing a central role in South Africa’s changing culture, and pass rates for the National Board Exam so low among bursary students, the accounting firm had to recruit 200-300{be38fd1e2c946a347db4d7316b241dce4b842100e7b38236661610f0dce6def9} more African black students than they actually required, just to meet their recruitment targets.

Solution

We conducted research that meant we were able to identify and isolate the key capability traits that would accurately predict (five years in advance) whether a Year 11 student would pass the National Board Exam. We also developed a program of workshops and interventions to support black students and equip them with the emotional capabilities to thrive in their new lives at university.

Outcome

In six years, we improved the pass rate for African black bursary students taking the National Board Exam from 25{be38fd1e2c946a347db4d7316b241dce4b842100e7b38236661610f0dce6def9} to almost 80{be38fd1e2c946a347db4d7316b241dce4b842100e7b38236661610f0dce6def9}.